The U.S. Army Contracting Commands, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., and Rock Island, Ill., have awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), three contracts with a total value of $97 million for the manufacture and delivery of 120mm M865 and M1002 tank training ammunition, 105mm M1130 high-explosive (HE) pre-formed fragmentation (PFF) cartridges and 155mm M795 HE projectile metal parts.

The M865 Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-Tracer (TPCSDS-T) ammunition is used in the 120mm smooth-bore M256 cannon of Army and U.S. Marine Corps Abrams main battle tanks. The M865 is designed to simulate the characteristics of live ammunition at reduced maximum ranges, to allow practice firings on short-range training areas.

The 105mm M1130 HE PFF ammunition is fired from the M119 towed howitzer and is the newest member of the Army’s 105mm ammunition family. This modern munition recently achieved full material release (signifying that the Army has rigorously tested and evaluated the item and determined that it is safe, operationally suitable and logistically supportable for use) and has entered service in Afghanistan.

The 155mm M795 is a high-explosive/high-fragmentation artillery projectile that is used in conjunction with the M777 and M198 towed howitzers and the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. The round has been widely used in combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. To date, General Dynamics has produced more than 1.3 million 155mm M795 projectiles in support of the Army and Marine Corps.
“Our tank and artillery ammunition continue to play key roles in both the training of U.S. forces as well as providing them overmatch capability in combat,” said Steve Torma, vice president and general manager of Large Caliber Ammunition for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. “General Dynamics’ heritage in producing tank and artillery ammunition is second to none and we are honored to provide continuing support to U.S. armed forces with this high-performance ammunition.”

Work is expected to be complete in February 2013 for the 155mm artillery ammunition, April 2014 for the 105mm artillery ammunition and September 2016 for the 120 tank ammunition.